The Pioneer Academy

Rebecca Hipkins has been an outstanding classroom practitioner for over 20 years.  Rebecca joined The Pioneer Academy in 2015 as a Senior Leader, working in partnership with the Chief Executive Officer and Head Teachers to improve teaching and learning across The Pioneer Academy schools.  In her role as Head of Staff Development, Rebecca facilitates exceptional training programmes across the academy trust.  Rebecca ensures that all staff in The Pioneer Academy access outstanding coaching and professional development, including bespoke ECT training, leadership programmes and the Power of Coaching.

With over 15 years’ experience of teaching EYFS Sarah Dench has worked as a Class Teacher, Early Years Leader and Assistant Head in variety of different schools across South London. She is passionate about Early Years and works across the academy supporting Head Teachers, Senior Leaders and Classroom Teachers to provide the very best teaching and learning for our youngest children.

Katie Day is an experienced primary practitioner who has had impact and taught across all year groups within a variety of roles and settings: classroom based; subject/aspect leader positions; Deputy Head and Head of Academy.  Instilling passion, enthusiasm and love for learning, Katie believes, should be at the heart of any role within primary education. Developing the sense of wonder and curiosity within a child, Katie would expect to be at the forefront of any successful teaching practitioner’s mind. She is driven and committed to improving the quality of teaching and learning and works closely with Head Teachers and senior leaders to provide support and training across Key Stage Two.

Since joining The Pioneer Academy in 2017, Matt Ferguson initially took on the role of an experienced year 6 teacher. Over the years, he has transitioned into the positions of a Deputy Head, showcasing expertise in areas including assessment and subject development. Matt remains dedicated to fostering developing school environments and believes in delivering an inspiring curriculum for pupil's learning experiences. As a Head of Teacher Development, Matt actively collaborates with Head Teachers and senior leaders to enhance the overall quality of teaching and learning specifically in Key Stage 2 (KS2) schools.

In her role as Head of Assessment for the Academy, Lydia works closely with Head Teachers and Senior Leaders to ensure assessment procedures are accurate and informative, impacting on positive outcomes for children. Alongside this, Lydia is Deputy Head Teacher at Stewart Fleming Primary School.  Previously, Lydia worked for a local school improvement team, before joining The Pioneer Academy in 2012 as a newly qualified teacher. Since then, Lydia has worked as a class teacher, Assistant Head Teacher and Head of School, and has led in a range of roles from subject and phase leadership, curriculum, teaching and learning and safeguarding.

Luke Kimberley first joined The Pioneer Academy in 2012 as PE teacher at Stewart Fleming and has since gone on to teach at other schools in the Trust as well as a three-year hiatus in a private school. Working alongside our PE specialist teachers, Luke ensures outstanding practice across each of our schools. He is passionate about making sport accessible to everyone and works closely with senior leaders to ensure that the PE curriculum is ambitious, progressive and challenging.